Coronary-Artery Calcification progression in lupus patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the progression of coronary-artery calcification (CAC) and risk factors associated in a SLE cohort. METHODS: We reassessed the presence of coronary-artery calcification in lupus patients who were screened nine years before, using Multidetector CT. Clinical (cumulated disease activity and damage accrual), antiphospholipid and lupus serology, and cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, body mass index, modified Framingham risk score, lipid profile, menopausal status) were assessed longitudinally. RESULTS: We included 104 patients from the parent study. Most of them were women, mean age 41.0+8.3 years and mean disease duration of 14.8 years. We documented coronary calcification in 17 patients (16.3%). Seven cases were from the parent study, and 10 were incident cases. The cumulative incidence of CAC was 9.0% and the incidence density was 1/100 person-years. CAC occurred more frequently in the age groups 30-39 and 40-44 years. All patients with previous CAC had worsening of their calcium indexes, and none developed clinical cardiovascular events. When comparing prevalent CAC cases (n=17) vs patients without calcification, both groups were similar in traditional cardiovascular risk factors, disease duration, SLEDAI 2K AUC and SLICC score, but were more likely to be menopause and higher apoB levels. Patients with previous CAC had higher apoB levels, SLEDAI 2K AUC scores and aCL-IgG than incident cases. CONCLUSION: CAC in lupus patients progressed over time but was not associated with adverse cardiovascular events during the first nine years of followup. ApoB levels and postmenopausal status might be associated with this progression.

Tunable optical properties of isoreticular UiO-67 MOFs for photocatalysis: a theoretical study.

A theoretical study of the reported photocatalytic systems based on Zr-based MOF (UiO-67) with biphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid (bpdc) and 2,2'-bipyridine-5,5'-dicarboxylic acid (bpydc) as linkers was performed. Quantum chemical calculations were carried out to understand the optical properties of the materials and to facilitate the rational design of new UiO-67 derivatives with potentially improved features as photocatalysts under ambient conditions. Hence, the effect of the structural modifications on the optical properties was studied considering different designs based on the nature of the linkers: in 1 only the bpdc linker was considered, or the mixture 1 : 1 between bpdc and bpydc linkers (labeled as 1A). Also, substituents R, -NH2, and -SH, were included in the 1A MOF only over the bpdc linker (labeled as 1A-bpdc-R) and on both bpdc and bpydc linkers (labeled as 1A-R). Thus a family of six isoreticular UiO-67 derivatives was theoretically characterized using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations on the ground singlet (S0) and first excited states (singlet and triplet) using Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT), multiconfigurational post-Hartree-Fock method via Complete Active Space Self-Consistent Field (CASSCF). In addition, the use of periodic DFT calculations suggest that the energy transfer (ET) channel between bpdc and bpydc linkers might generate more luminescence quenching of 1A when compare to 1. Besides, the results suggest that the 1A-R (R: -SH and NH2) can be used under ambient conditions; however, the ET exhibited by 1A, cannot take place in the same magnitude in these systems. These ET can favor the photocatalytic reduction of a potential metal ion, that can coordinate with the bpydc ligand, via LMCT transition. Consequently, the MOF might be photocatalytically active against molecules of interest (such as H2, N2, CO2, among others) with photo-reduced metal ions. These theoretical results serve as a useful tool to guide experimental efforts in the design of new photocatalytic MOF-based systems.

Effectiveness of the fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccines against severe COVID-19 among adults 40 years or older in Brazil: a population-based cohort study.

Background: The emergence of COVID-19 variants with immune scape and the waning of primary vaccine schemes effectiveness have prompted many countries to indicate first and second booster COVID-19 vaccine doses to prevent severe COVID-19. However, current available evidence on second booster dose effectiveness are mostly limited to high-income countries, older adults, and mRNA-based vaccination schemes scenarios. We aimed to investigate the relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) of the fourth dose compared to three doses for severe COVID-19 outcomes in Brazil; and compare the rVE of a fourth dose with an mRNA vaccine compared to adenovirus-based product in the same settings. Methods: We performed a target emulated trial using a population-based cohort of individuals aged 40 years or older who have received a homologous primary scheme of CoronaVac, ChAdOx1, or BNT162b2, and any third dose product and were eligible for the fourth dose in Brazil. The primary outcome was COVID-19 associated hospitalization or death. We built Cohort A matching individuals vaccinated with a fourth dose to individuals who received three doses to estimate the rVE of the fourth dose. We built Cohort B, a subset of Cohort A, matching mRNA-based (mRNA) to adenovirus-based fourth dose vaccinated individuals to compare their relative hazards for severe COVID-19. Findings: 46,693,484 individuals were included in Cohort A and 6,763,016 in Cohort B. 45% of them were aged between 40 and 60 years old, and 48% between 60 and 79 years old. In Cohort A, the most common previous series was a ChAdOx1 two-dose followed by BNT162b2 (44%), and a CoronaVac two-dose followed by a BNT162b2 (36%). Among those fourth dose vaccinated, 36.9% received ChAdOx1, 32.7% Ad26.COV2.S, 25.8% BNT162b2, and 4.7% CoronaVac. In Cohort B, among those who received an adenovirus fourth dose, 53.7% received ChAdOx1 and 46.3% received Ad26.COV2.S. The estimated rVE for the primary outcome of four doses compared to three doses was 44.1% (95% CI 42.3-46.0), with some waning during follow-up (rVE 7-60 days 46.8% [95% CI 44.4-49.1], rVE after 120 days 33.8% [95% CI 18.0-46.6]). Among fourth dose vaccinated individuals, mRNA-based vaccinated individuals had lower hazards for hospitalization or death compared to adenovirus-vaccinated individuals (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.75-0.87). After 120 days, no difference in hazards between groups was observed (HR 1.35, 95% CI 0.93-1.97). Similar findings were observed for hospitalization and death separately, except no evidence for differences between fourth dose brands for death in Cohort B. Interpretation: In a heterogeneous scenario of primary and first booster vaccination combinations, a fourth dose provided meaningful and durable protection against severe COVID-19 outcomes. Compared to adenovirus-based booster, a fourth dose wild-type mRNA vaccine was associated with immediate lower hazards of hospitalization or death unsustained after 120 days. Funding: None.

BK ZERO isoform HEK293 stably transfected cell lines differing 3'UTRs to assess miR-9 regulation.

Research has identified the large conductance voltage- and calcium-activated potassium channel (BK) as a key regulator of neuronal excitability genetically associated to behavioral alcohol tolerance. Sensitivity to ethanol at the molecular level is characterized by acute potentiation of channel activity. BK isoforms show variations in alcohol sensitivity and are differentially distributed on the plasma membrane surface in response to prolonged exposure. MicroRNA (MiRNA) targeting of alcohol-sensitive isoforms coupled with active internalization of BK channels in response to ethanol are believed to be key in establishing homeostatic adaptations that produce persistent changes within the plasma membrane of neurons. In fact, microRNA 9 (miR-9) upregulated expression is a key event in persistent alcohol tolerance mediating acute EtOH desensitization of BK channels. The exact nature of these interactions remains a current topic of discussion. To further study the effects of miR-9 on the expression and distribution of BK channel isoforms we designed an experimental model by transfecting human BK channel isoforms ZERO heterologous constructs in human embryonic kidney cells 293 (HEK293) cells respectively expressing 2.1 (miR-9 responsive), 2.2 (unresponsive) and control (no sequence) 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) miRNA recognition sites. We used imaging techniques to characterize the stably transfected monoclonal cell lines, and electrophysiology to validate channel activity. Finally, we used immunocytochemistry to validate isoform responsiveness to miR-9. Our findings suggest the cell lines were successfully transfected to express either the 2.1 or 2.2 version of ZERO. Patch clamp recordings confirm that these channels retain their functionality and immunohistochemistry shows differential responses to miR-9, making these cells viable for use in future alcohol dependence studies.

Flavonoid intake and risk of Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Flavonoids have been proposed to reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, results from epidemiological studies have been inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: To prospectively examine the association between the intake of flavonoids and their subclasses and the risk of PD and how pesticides may confound or modify that association. METHODS: The study population comprised 80 701 women (1984-2016) and 48 782 men (1986-2016) from two large US cohorts. Flavonoid intake was ascertained at baseline and every 4 years thereafter using a semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. We conducted multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models to estimate HRs and 95% CIs of PD according to quintiles of baseline and cumulative average intakes of flavonoids and subclasses. We repeated the analyses, adjusting for intakes of high-pesticide-residue fruits and vegetables (FVs) and stratifying by servings/day of high-pesticide-residue FV intake. RESULTS: We identified 676 incident PD cases in women and 714 in men after 30-32 years of follow-up. Higher total flavonoid intake at baseline was not associated with a lower PD risk, neither in men (HR comparing highest to lowest quintile: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.69 to 1.14) nor in women (HR comparing highest to lowest quintile: 1.27, 95% CI: 0.98 to 1.64). Similar results were observed for cumulative average intakes and flavonoid subclasses. Results remained similar after adjustment for and stratification by high-pesticide-residue FV and when analyses were restricted to younger PD cases. CONCLUSION: These results do not support a protective effect of flavonoid intake on PD risk. Pesticide residues do not confound or modify the association.

Hair color, family history of melanoma, and the risk of Parkinson's disease: An analysis update.

BACKGROUND: A shared biological component between melanoma and Parkinson's disease (PD) has been suggested. Yet, epidemiological evidence is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of hair color and family history of melanoma, two strong predictors of melanoma risk, with the occurrence of PD. METHODS: We followed 131,342 women and men for ∼30 years for the development of PD. We calculated the cumulative incidence of PD from ages 40 to 90 according to hair color, and estimated the hazard ratio of PD according to hair color and family history of melanoma. RESULTS: Hair color was not strongly associated with the risk of PD, especially at advanced ages. In contrast, individuals with a family history of melanoma had a 1.4-fold higher risk of PD compared to those without a history. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the hypothesis of a shared biological component between PD and melanoma. Both pigmentary and non-pigmentary pathways may play a role.

[Characteristics of patients with systemic sclerosis who develop interstitial lung disease]. / Características de los pacientes con esclerosis sistémica que desarrollan enfermedad pulmonar intersticial.

Background: Systemic sclerosis associated-interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) show a high mortality. The factors associated SSc-ILD have shown variability in different populations. There are few studies in Mexican mestizos. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical factors associated with SSc-ILD. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study, where patients > 18 years of age with a diagnosis of SSc according to EULAR/ACR 2013 criteria and diagnosis of ILD by forced vital capacity (FVC) < 70% and > 5% of affected lung area on tomography were included. The strength of association of the factors for ILD was measured by odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The significant variables were analyzed by multiple logistic regression with adjustment. Results: Of the 80 patients with SSc, 38 (47.5%) had ILD. Risk factors such as smoking, higher activity index, lower FVC, anti-topoisomerase I antibodies, and protective factors such as a limited SSc, early capillaroscopic pattern, and anti-centromere antibodies (ACA) were associated with ILD. In the multivariate analysis, a higher activity index with OR 4.17, (95% CI 2.01-8.65) persisted as a risk factor, while ACA with OR 0.17, (95% CI 0.03-0.85) persisted as a protective factor associated with SSc-ILD. Conclusions: A higher index of activity and ACA persisted as factors associated with SSc-ILD.

Introducción: la enfermedad pulmonar intersticial (EPI) está relacionada a una mayor mortalidad en esclerosis sistémica (ES). Los factores asociados a su presentación han mostrado variabilidad en diferentes poblaciones. Pocos estudios se han realizado en mestizos mexicanos. Objetivo: analizar los factores clínicos y paraclínicos asociados a EPI en pacientes con ES. Material y métodos: estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles en el que se incluyeron pacientes > 18 años con diagnóstico de ES, según criterios EULAR/ACR 2013 y EPI por capacidad vital forzada (CVF) < 70% y > 5% de área pulmonar efectada en tomografía. La fuerza de asociación de los factores para EPI se midió por razón de momios (RM) con intervalos de confianza del 95% (IC95%). Las variables significativas se analizaron por regresión logística múltiple con ajuste. Resultados: de los 80 pacientes con ES, 38 (47.5%) tenían EPI. Factores de riesgo como tabaquismo, mayor índice de actividad, menor CVF, anticuerpos antitopoisomerasa I y factores protectores como variedad limitada de ES, patrón capilaroscópico temprano y anticuerpos anticentrómero estuvieron asociados a EPI. En el análisis multivariado un mayor índice de actividad con RM 4.17, (IC95%: 2.01-8.65) persistió como un factor de riesgo; en cambio, los anticuerpos anticentrómero con RM 0.17, (IC95%: 0.03-0.85) persistieron como un factor protector asociado a EPI. Conclusiones: un mayor índice de actividad y la presencia anticuerpos anticentrómero persistieron como factores asociados a la presencia de EPI en ES.

Subjective Cognitive Decline in Women with Features Suggestive of Prodromal Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive deficits can be present in the prodromal phase of Parkinson's disease (PD). Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may contribute to identifying individuals with prodromal PD. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine whether SCD is more likely to be present in women with features suggestive of prodromal PD compared with women without these features. METHODS: The study population comprised 12,427 women from the Nurses' Health Study selected to investigate prodromal PD. Prodromal and risk markers of PD were assessed via self-administered questionnaires. We evaluated the association of hyposmia, constipation, and probable rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, three major features of prodromal PD, with SCD, adjusting for age, education, body mass index, physical activity, smoking, alcohol, caffeine intake, and depression. We also explored whether SCD was associated with the probability of prodromal PD and conducted additional analyses using data from neurocognitive tests. RESULTS: Women experiencing the three examined nonmotor features had the worst mean SCD score and the highest odds of poor subjective cognition (odds ratio [OR] = 1.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29-2.47). This association persisted when women with objective cognitive deficits were excluded from analyses. SCD was also more common in women with a probability of prodromal PD ≥0.80, particularly among those aged younger than 75 years (OR of poor subjective cognition = 6.57 [95% CI, 2.43-17.77]). These observations were consistent with the results from analyses using neurocognitive tests, where a worse global cognitive performance was observed among women with three features. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that self-perceived cognitive decline can be present during the prodromal phase of PD. © 2023 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Long-Term Intake of Folate, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12 and the Incidence of Parkinson's Disease in a Sample of U.S. Women and Men.

BACKGROUND: Folate and vitamins B6 and B12 have been proposed as protective against the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). Two prior longitudinal studies were inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to examine the association of long-term intake of folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 with the incidence of PD. METHODS: The study population comprised 80,965 women (Nurses' Health Study, 1984-2016) and 48,837 men (Health Professionals Follow-up Study, 1986-2016) followed prospectively for the development of PD. Intake of B vitamins was measured at baseline and every 4 years thereafter using food frequency questionnaires. We estimated the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of PD based on quintiles of cumulative average intake adjusting for potential confounders. Secondary analyses considered different lagged exposure periods as well as baseline and recent intakes. RESULTS: In separate analyses of cumulative average intake, total folate, B6, and B12 were not associated with the risk of PD. Results from 8-, 12-, and 16-year lag analyses were consistent with these findings. Results for baseline intake of folate and B6 also pointed toward a null association. In contrast, a lower PD risk was observed among individuals with higher baseline total intake of B12 (pooled HR top vs. bottom quintile: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67-0.95; P-trend = 0.01); results from 20-year lag analyses were consistent with this finding. CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not support the hypothesis that a higher intake of folate or vitamin B6 would reduce PD risk in this population. Our results provide moderate support for a possible protective effect of vitamin B12 on the development of PD. © 2023 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Development of a new low-cost computer vision system for human gait analysis: A case study.

Today, human gait analysis is commonly used for clinical diagnosis, rehabilitation and performance improvement in sports. However, although previous research works in the literature address the use of motion capture systems by means of optoelectronic sensors, Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) and depth cameras, few of them discuss their conception, guidelines and algorithms for measuring and calculating gait metrics. Moreover, commercially available motion capture systems, although efficient, are cost restrictive for most of the low-income institutions. In this research work, a new computer vision-based system (CVS) for gait analysis is developed and proposed. The aim is to close the gap found in the literature about the design and development of such systems by providing the requirements, considerations, algorithms and methodologies used to develop a gait analysis system with acceptable precision and accuracy, and at low cost. For this purpose, a linear computer vision method based on the non-homogeneous solution of the calibration matrix was used. The spatio-temporal and angular gait parameters were implemented in the proposed system, and compared with those reported in the literature. The denoising of the spatial gait trajectories and the strategies to detect gait events, are also presented and discussed. The results have shown that the proposed system is satisfactory for human gait analysis in terms of precision, computational performance and low cost.

Sun Exposure and Intima-Media Thickness in the Mexican Teachers' Cohort Study.

Objective: To determine whether long-term sun exposure has a protective role in subclinical cardiovascular disease in adult Mexican women. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a sample of women from the Mexican Teachers' Cohort (MTC) study. Sun exposure was assessed in the MTC 2008 baseline questionnaire, in which women were asked about their sun-related behavior. Vascular neurologists measured carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) using standard techniques. Multivariate linear regression models were used to estimate the difference in mean IMT and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), according to categories of sun exposure and multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% CIs for carotid atherosclerosis. Results: The mean age of participants was 49.6 ± 5.5 years, the mean IMT was 0.678 ± 0.097 mm, and the mean accumulated hours of weekly sun exposure were 2.9 ± 1.9. Prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis was 20.9%. Compared with women in the lowest quartile of sun exposure, women in the highest quartile had lower mean IMT, but this was not significant in the multivariable adjusted analysis. (Adjusted mean % difference: -0.8; 95% CI: -2.3 to 0.8). The multivariate adjusted ORs of carotid atherosclerosis were 0.54 (95% CI: 0.24-1.18) for women who were exposed 9 hours. For women who denied regular sunscreen use, those in the higher exposure category (9 hours) had lower mean IMT compared with those in the lower category (multivariable-adjusted mean % difference = -2.67; 95% CI: -6.9 to -1.5). Conclusions: We observed that cumulative sun exposure was inversely associated with IMT and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. If these findings are further replicated and seen for other cardiovascular outcomes, sun exposure could be an easy, affordable strategy to lower overall cardiovascular risk.

Spatial analysis methodology of resistance to penetration and infiltration in a soil cultivated with a bushy fruit (Acca sellowiana)

The sustainable management of water and soil resources for agricultural purposes is related to the ability to store and mobilize available water for crops, particularly under a spatial analysis. The objective of the study was to design and evaluate a methodology for spatial analysis of resistance to soil penetration and infiltration on loamy-clay textures. The basic methodological principles included sampling grid planning, data capture at defined points, data fitting to empirical models, data processing, and spatial representation. A defining moment was evaluated for an established feijoa crop with permanent production. With a georeferenced rectangular sampling grid of 40m x 40m, an area of 1.36 ha was covered. Penetration resistance was measured with a penetrometer, covering 4 depths per node (sampled point). Infiltration was evaluated with ring infiltrometers. The results allowed validation of the methodology implemented through a single processing environment through RStudio. Resistance to penetration sensitively affected the variation in infiltration rates, adjusting planning activities for irrigation activities. The methodological proposal was designed to reduce processing times and graphic responses, tabulated, and integrated with a single script in the R tool, compared to traditional geostatistical techniques, which articulate the implementation of multiple tools for the generation of results.

La gestión sostenible de los recursos agua y suelo, con fines agrícolas, tiene relación con la capacidad para almacenar y movilizar agua disponible para los cultivos, particularmente, bajo un análisis espacial. El objetivo del estudio fue diseñar y evaluar una metodología de análisis espacial de la resistencia a la penetración e infiltración del suelo sobre texturas franco-arcillosas. Los principios básicos metodológicos incluyeron planificación de grilla de muestreo, captura de datos en puntos definidos, ajuste de datos a modelos empíricos, procesamiento y representación espacial de datos. Se evaluó un momento definido para un cultivo de feijoa establecido con producción permanente. Con una grilla de muestreo rectangular georreferenciada de 40m x 40m, se abarcó una superficie de 1,36 ha. La resistencia a penetración, se midió con un penetrómetro, cubriendo 4 profundidades por nodo (punto muestreado). La infiltración fue evaluada con anillos infiltrómetros. Los resultados permitieron validar la metodología implementada, mediante un entorno de procesamiento único, a través de RStudio. La resistencia a la penetración afectó sensiblemente la variación en las tasas de infiltración, ajustando actividades de planeación de actividades de riego. La propuesta metodológica fue diseñada para disminuir tiempos de procesamiento y respuestas gráficas, tabuladas e integradas en un único script en la herramienta R, comparado con técnicas tradicionales geoestadísticas, que articulan la implementación de múltiples herramientas para la generación de resultados.

Algunas desigualdades sociodemográficas de la tuberculosis entre las regiones geográficas de Cuba / Some sociodemographic inequalities of tuberculosis among the geographic regions in Cuba

Introducción: El estudio de la ocurrencia de la tuberculosis en los territorios geográficos es importante para guiar a los decisores en las intervenciones diferenciadas. Objetivo: Evaluar las desigualdades en la ocurrencia de tuberculosis y de algunas variables sociodemográficas individuales entre las regiones geográficas cubanas. Métodos: Estudio ecológico de series temporales combinado con un estudio descriptivo sobre el número de casos y las tasas de incidencia de tuberculosis en Occidente, Centro y Oriente. Obtuvimos la información de la base de datos nacional de vigilancia de tuberculosis. Calculamos las tasas de incidencia y sus medias geométricas, la menor fue referencia para calcular las diferencias absolutas y relativas. Estimamos las tendencias de las incidencias regionales y las proporciones de algunas variables individuales. Resultados: La región oriental mostró la menor media geométrica de las tasas (5,2) y fue la referencia: su tendencia resultó descendente con reducción total de 22,6 %. En la incidencia predominaron los hombres de 15-64 años en las tres regiones (63,8 %). Los menores de 15 años estuvieron entre 0,4-1,3 %. La región oriental presentó menos defunciones (25,9 %). La occidental aportó 44,2 % de la tuberculosis pulmonar y 46,3 % del diagnóstico bacteriológico. Conclusiones: La región occidental presentó las desigualdades más importantes y mayor riesgo en la ocurrencia de tuberculosis. Se debe profundizar en el análisis de los determinantes individuales posiblemente relacionados y realizar intervenciones diferenciadas.

Introduction: The study of the occurrence of tuberculosis in the geographic territories is important to guide decision-makers in the differentiated interventions. Objective: To identify inequalities in the occurrence of tuberculosis and evaluate some individual sociodemographic variables among the geographic regions in Cuba. Methods: Ecological time series study combined with a descriptive study on the number of cases and the incidence rate of tuberculosis in the western, central and eastern regions. We gathered data from the national tuberculosis surveillance database. The incidence rate and the geometric means were calculated, the lowest was the reference to calculate absolute and relative differences. We estimated the regional incidence trends and the proportions of some individual variables. Results: The eastern region showed the lowest geometric mean of the rates (5.2) and was the reference. It had a downward trend, with a total reduction of 22.6%. Men aged 15-64 years prevailed in the three regions (63.8%). Those under 15 years of age were between 0.4% and 1.3%. The eastern region had the fewest deaths (25.9%). The western region accounted for 44.2% of pulmonary tuberculosis cases and 46.3% of bacteriological diagnoses. Conclusions: The Western region had the most significant inequalities and a higher risk of tuberculosis. It should be further analyzed the probable relationship among individual determinants and carry out differentiated interventions.

Serial Mediation Model of Social Capital Effects over Academic Stress in University Students.

Background: Although several studies have shown that social capital and social support decreases academic stress (AS), there has been lack of atheoretical model to explain how this occurs. This study aims to verify a model that explains the effect of bonding social capital (BSC) over academic stress psychological symptoms (PsyS), considering the multiple sequential mediation of socio-emotional support (SES), self-efficacy (sEffic) and self-esteem (sEstee). Methods: In a transversal study, 150 undergraduate volunteer students were recruited using non-probabilistic purposive sampling. Data were collected using psychological questionnaires and were processed through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Results: Goodness of fit of the models (SRMR = 0.056, 0.057,

Effectiveness of an inactivated Covid-19 vaccine with homologous and heterologous boosters against Omicron in Brazil.

The effectiveness of inactivated vaccines (VE) against symptomatic and severe COVID-19 caused by omicron is unknown. We conducted a nationwide, test-negative, case-control study to estimate VE for homologous and heterologous (BNT162b2) booster doses in adults who received two doses of CoronaVac in Brazil in the Omicron context. Analyzing 1,386,544 matched-pairs, VE against symptomatic disease was 8.6% (95% CI, 5.6-11.5) and 56.8% (95% CI, 56.3-57.3) in the period 8-59 days after receiving a homologous and heterologous booster, respectively. During the same interval, VE against severe Covid-19 was 73.6% (95% CI, 63.9-80.7) and 86.0% (95% CI, 84.5-87.4) after receiving a homologous and heterologous booster, respectively. Waning against severe Covid-19 after 120 days was only observed after a homologous booster. Heterologous booster might be preferable to individuals with completed primary series inactivated vaccine.

Hippocampal and amygdalar increased BDNF expression in the extinction of opioid-induced place preference.

The opioid crisis was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States with alarming statistics about overdose-related deaths. Current treatment options, such as medication assisted treatments, have been unable to prevent relapse in many patients, whereas cue-based exposure therapy have had mixed results in human trials. To improve patient outcomes, it is imperative to develop animal models of addiction to understand molecular mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic targets. We previously found increased brain derived neurotrophic factor (bdnf) transcript in the ventral striatum/nucleus accumbens (VS/NAc) of rats that extinguished morphine-induced place preference. Here, we expand our study to determine whether BDNF protein expression was modulated in mesolimbic brain regions of the reward system in animals exposed to extinction training. Drug conditioning and extinction sessions were followed by Western blots for BDNF in the hippocampus (HPC), amygdala (AMY) and VS/NAc. Rears, as a measure of withdrawal-induced anxiety were also measured to determine their impact on extinction. Results showed that animals who received extinction training and successfully extinguished morphine CPP significantly increased BDNF in the HPC when compared to animals deprived of extinction training (sham-extinction). This increase was not significant in animals who failed to extinguish (extinction-resistant). In AMY, all extinction-trained animals showed increased BDNF, regardless of behavior phenotype. No BDNF modulation was observed in the VS/NAc. Finally, extinction-trained animals showed no difference in rears regardless of extinction outcome, suggesting that anxiety elicited by drug withdrawal did not significantly impact extinction of morphine CPP. Our results suggest that BDNF expression in brain regions of the mesolimbic reward system could play a key role in extinction of opioid-induced maladaptive behaviors and represents a potential therapeutic target for future combined pharmacological and extinction-based therapies.

Influence of LiTaO3 (0001) and KTaO3 (001) Perovskites Structures on the Molecular Adsorption of Styrene and Styrene oxide: A Theoretical Insight by Periodic DFT Calculations.

In this research, the adsorption of styrene and styrene oxide, both biomass derivatives, on KTaO3 (001) and LiTaO3 (0001) perovskite-like structures was studied from a theoretical point of view. The study was carried out using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The adsorption phenomenon was deeply studied by calculating the adsorption energies (Eads ), adsorbate-surface distances (Å) and evaluating the differences of charge density and charge transfer (ΔCT). For complexes adsorbed on KTaO3 (TaO2 , KO and K(OH)2 exposed layers), the highest Eads was found for styrene oxide, attributed to the oxygen reactivity of the epoxy group describing a strong interaction with the surface. However, when evaluating a K(O)2 model, a more favorable interaction of styrene with the surface is observed, resulting in a high Eads of -9.9 eV and a ΔCT of 3.1e. For LiTaO3 , more favorable interactions are found for both adsorbates compared to KTaO3 , evidenced by the higher adsorption energies and charge density differences, particularly for the styrene complex adsorbed on TaO2 exposed layer (Eads : -10.2 eV). For the LiO termination, the surface exposed oxygens are fundamental for the adsorption of styrene and styrene oxide, leading to a considerable structural distortion. The obtained results thus provide understanding of the structural features, surface reactivity and adsorption sites of LiTaO3 and KTaO3 perovskite in the context of a heterogeneous catalytic process, such as the oxidation of styrene.

Biological Activities of Seven Medicinal Plants Used in Chiapas, Mexico.

Seven medicinal plants from Chiapas, Mexico, used by Native Americans were analyzed, aiming to improve the understanding of their medicinal properties through the evaluation of various biological activities, i.e., bactericidal, antioxidant, α-glucosidase inhibition, and toxicity, to provide a scientific basis for the management of infectious and hyperglycemic diseases in the Mexican southeast. Plant extracts were obtained from Cordia dodecandra, Gaultheria odorata, Heliotropium angiospermum, Justicia spicigera, Leucaena collinsii spp. collinsii, Tagetes nelsonii, and Talisia oliviformis through maceration techniques using methanol and chloroform (1:1). Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was employed to determine the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter faecalis, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeuroginosa. The antiradical/antioxidant activity was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays and antihemolytic activity using the 2,2'-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride radical (APPH). The anti-α-glucosidase activity was evaluated in vitro through the chromogenic PNPG assay. The toxicity was assessed using the brine shrimp lethality assay. The highest antimicrobial activity was displayed by T. nelsonii, mainly against E. faecalis and P. aeuroginosa. The extracts of L. collinsii, J. spicigera, and T. nelsonii possess antioxidant properties with EC50 < 50 µg/mL. J. spicigera and T. nelsonii extracts showed the highest antihemolytic activity with IC50 < 14 µg/mL. T. nelsonii exhibited a remarkable inhibitor effect on the α-glucosidase enzyme and the greatest toxic effect on Artemia salina with IC50 = 193 ± 20 µg/mL and LD50 = 14 ± 1 µg/mL, respectively. According to our results, G. odorata, J. spicigera, T. nelsonii, and T. oliviformis extracts contained active antimicrobial compounds. At the same time, T. nelsonii stands to be a possible source of effective antineoplastic and antihyperglycemic compounds.

Thermoregulatory Response of Blackbelly Adult Ewes and Female Lambs during the Summer under Tropical Conditions in Southern Mexico.

High environmental temperatures cause heat stress in ewes, resulting in thermoregulatory problems. In this study, the thermoregulatory responses of Blackbelly adult ewes (G1, n = 14) and female lambs (G2, n = 7), during the summer under tropical conditions, in southern Mexico were analyzed. Different physiological variables and skin temperatures (ST) of the ewes were recorded. Breathing frequency (BF) values were similar between groups at 116.73 ± 33.598 bpm (G1) and 113.661 ± 34.515 bpm (G2) (p > 0.05). In the case of skin elasticity (SE), there were no significant differences between the time of day and the age of the ewes (p > 0.05). Significant differences were observed between groups for BF, rectal temperature (RT), and heart rate (HR) values (p < 0.05). All ST values, for both groups, were significantly higher during the afternoon (p < 0.001). In general, all Blackbelly adult ewes and female lambs during the summer present severe heat stress conditions as a result of an increase in physiological constants and ST. It is concluded that all ewes thermoregulate body temperature by modifying different physiological variables to counteract the effect of heat stress.

Aortic Sinus Contrast Retention During TAVR: A Warning Sign Preceding a Potential Thrombotic Complication.

Sinus contrast material retention after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a rare phenomenon that may reflect an increased risk for thrombotic complications. We present 3 cases of persistent contrast agent retention in the sinus of Valsalva during the TAVR procedure that portend the occurrence of embolic stroke or bioprosthetic valve thrombosis. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).